Ex-Dragon 5 member found dead in Chao Phraya
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Former Dragon 5 member Thaman "Tae" Taephan, also referred to as Tewish Theppan, was found dead on August 7 in the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok after disappearing during a pre-dawn bicycle outing. Police said a black backpack found on his body contained a cement umbrella base and a hollow brick with a combined weight of 20.1 kilograms, raising major questions over how he died. Initial examination found no obvious external injuries, while his cream-colored bicycle had not been located as of the report. His family and former bandmates have disputed any suggestion of suicide, and an autopsy has been ordered
Key Points
- Tae, 46, was a former member of Dragon 5, a Thai idol boy band made famous in the 2000s by entertainment company GMM Grammy
- He reportedly left home alone at about 4am on August 6 wearing professional cycling gear, but unusually carried no phone, wallet or GPS watch
- Search teams found his floating body at about 2.30pm on August 7 beneath the Rama VII Bridge section of the Chao Phraya River
- Police said the black backpack on his body held a cement umbrella stand and a hollow brick weighing more than 20 kilograms in total
- Tae’s 78-year-old mother said family relations were normal and he showed no signs of depression; he had also prepared documents to ordain at Wat Sangkathan
Why It Matters
The case has drawn attention because the circumstances described by police are highly unusual and involve a once-prominent entertainment figure whose disappearance quickly became public. For Hong Kong readers, it is also a reminder that early reports in celebrity death cases can remain inconclusive until forensic findings are completed, even when family members strongly reject suicide